So Supernatural Podcast Summary
Title: DISAPPEARED: The Carroll A. Deering
Host/Author: audiochuck | Crime House
Release Date: March 21, 2025
Introduction
The episode begins with Ashley Flowers setting the stage by contrasting modern conveniences with the perils of early 20th-century sea travel. She introduces the mysterious disappearance of the Carroll A. Deering, a commercial schooner found abandoned off the shores of North Carolina in 1921. Flowers hints at the unresolved nature of the case and teases the exploration of possible supernatural explanations.
"It was in pretty good shape, but every single member aboard the vessel was missing without any concrete indication of where they'd gone."
— Ashley Flowers [00:02]
Background of the Carroll A. Deering
Racha Pecorero and Yvette Gentile provide an overview of the Carroll A. Deering, detailing its last known voyage. The schooner was a coal-hauling vessel owned by the Gigi Deering Company, making a routine trip from Brazil to Virginia. On January 31, 1921, the U.S. Coast Guard discovered the ship aground near Cape Hatteras, a region notorious for shipwrecks and known as the "Graveyard of the Atlantic."
"In 1921, the crew of the Carroll, a Deering, disappeared from a routine coal hauling trip in the Atlantic Ocean. But when rescuers found their vessel, it was fully intact and empty."
— Yvette Gentile [02:23]
The Mysterious Disappearance
The Coast Guard’s initial investigation revealed that the schooner was abandoned under perplexing circumstances. Lifeboats were missing, and there were no signs of distress or struggle on board. The crew's personal possessions were still orderly, suggesting a planned departure rather than a hasty abandonment.
"It's starting to look like somehow, someway, the crew might have just vanished mid meal. As if they were there one second but gone the next."
— Racha Pecorero [14:56]
Theories and Investigations
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Mutiny Theory
- Evidence: Captain’s logbook showed a change in handwriting, indicating a possible takeover. The first mate, Charles B. McClellan, had a history of conflict with Captain Willis Rommel, including public disturbances and threats.
- Analysis: The altercation between Rommel and McClellan before the voyage raised suspicions. McClellan's aggressive behavior and previous threats suggested he might have instigated a mutiny.
"The entries from January 23rd onward are in a different handwriting than the ones before then. So it looks like someone new took over his duties around that time."
— Yvette Gentile [22:40] -
Piracy Theory
- Evidence: A message in a bottle found months later mentioned the Deering being captured by an "oil burning boat." However, this was later exposed as a hoax orchestrated by Christopher Gray to secure a lighthouse keeper position.
- Analysis: Genuine piracy could explain the disappearance, but the lack of survivors or loot raises questions. Additionally, pirates typically retain captured vessels, contradicting the abandonment observed.
"The whole message in the bottle was a hoax. But that doesn't mean the whole pirate theory is wrong."
— Racha Pecorero [31:27] -
Supernatural and Bermuda Triangle Theories
- Evidence: The Carroll A. Deering passed through the Bermuda Triangle, a region infamous for unexplained disappearances. Comparisons were made to other mysterious cases within the Triangle, including the Rosalie and the disappearance of two teenage boys in 2015.
- Analysis: Phenomena such as electromagnetic irregularities, methane gas eruptions, and possible ancient technologies from Atlantis were discussed as potential supernatural factors influencing the ship’s fate.
"Although we know there are a lot of theories, and they range from electromagnetic irregularities to bizarre, unexpected weather patterns."
— Yvette Gentile [36:54]
The Bermuda Triangle Connection
The episode delves into the lore surrounding the Bermuda Triangle, highlighting its reputation as a hotspot for mysterious disappearances. Historical cases like the Rosalie and modern incidents reinforce the enigmatic nature of the area, suggesting that natural or supernatural forces might be at play.
"It's an unusually high amount of methane gas in its depths that can lead to unexpected waterspouts and eruptions, and also makes it easier for ships to get pulled under."
— Yvette Gentile [37:30]
Conclusion and Unresolved Mysteries
The hosts conclude by acknowledging the myriad of theories but emphasize that none provide a definitive explanation for the Carroll A. Deering’s disappearance. The destruction of the wreck using dynamite further complicates the mystery, leaving many questions unanswered.
"The solutions to some mysteries will always be just out of reach."
— Racha Pecorero [40:37]
Notable Quotes
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"Why do you think we couldn’t get any survivors? It’s like they just vanished in thin air."
— Yvette Gentile [12:22] -
"The more time they spend trying to row out to the schooner, the worse the seas get. Fate is not on their side."
— Racha Pecorero [10:01] -
"What if they teleported as well? But their ship didn't go with them, maybe they found themselves swimming in unfamiliar waters, but with no way back to shore."
— Racha Pecorero [39:26]
Final Thoughts
The Carroll A. Deering remains one of the most enduring mysteries of maritime history. Despite extensive investigations and numerous theories, the fate of the ship and its crew continues to elude explanation, embodying the very essence of a supernatural enigma.
"This is so supernatural... sometimes, even when an answer can seem so tantalizingly close, the solutions to some mysteries will always be just out of reach."
— Racha Pecorero [40:37]
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